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State lawmaker proposing insurance policies for gun owners

A state lawmaker is proposing more restrictions on gun owners and if it becomes law, it could cost hundreds of dollars each year to own a firearm. A New York lawmaker is proposing expensive insurance policies for anyone who wants to own a gun.

State Legislator Felix Ortiz says if people want to buy a gun , they need to buy at least one million dollar insurance policy.

Several published reports are estimating this kind of insurance could cost up to $22-hundred a year. one gun dealer who questions the benefit of the law, is saying it goes after the wrong people.

Kordell Jackson, gun dealer, said, “I think they have gone way out of control with this.”

Kordell Jackson finds himself holding his breath these days, waiting for the next shoe to drop. Since New York State tightened its gun laws last month, the gun dealer and gun owner doesn't know what to expect. If a Brooklyn lawmaker has his way, whenever Jackson sells a gun in his store, the new gun owner would have to purchase liability insurance.

News10NBC's Lynette Adams said, “How do you read this?”

Jackson said, “To be honest, we're not sure how to read this, even as a person, myself, a owner, a gun shop owner. It's very difficult to gauge what exactly they're trying to do. We know they're trying to alter our second amendment as well as our fifth amendment. The problem is when does it stop.”

The author of this bill., Brooklyn State Assemblyman Felix Ortiz wants make purchasing liability insurance, a condition of gun ownership. For current owners, they would have 30 days to purchase the insurance. The police would have to be notified if the gun is stolen or lost. Failure to do so could cost the owner the privilege to own a gun and the cost wouldn't be cheap. The insurance could cost as much as $2,000 a year.

News10NBC spoke with Assemblyman Minority Leader Brian Kolb by phone and asked him what he thinks of this proposal and its chances of passing. Kolb says he hopes it does not pass. He says it's not where New York State should be using it's resources.

Kolb said, “This one more cost, one more burden because the rest of our activities are ineffectual at best in dealing with this issue.”

And as Jackson says targets the wrong people.

Jackson said, “Statistically showing how often has it been that people have used firearms in an ill manner that they are responsible gun owners.. It very rarely happens. Gun control is to control criminals and none of these bills have done that.”

Democrat assemblyman David Gantt didn't have a comment other than to say he thinks this bill could be a tough sell.